Bangladesh Ministry Dismisses Fuel Shortage Rumors Amid Lingering Gas Supply Disruptions
The Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources of Bangladesh has officially dismissed reports of a fuel oil crisis, characterizing recent public anxiety as unfounded rumors. During a press briefing at the Secretariat on Wednesday, officials sought to quell concerns by detailing robust current inventories, confirming that the nation holds at least 31 days of diesel, 36 days of octane, 20 days of petrol, 25 days of furnace oil, and 20 days of jet fuel.
Joint Secretary Monir Hossain Chowdhury emphasized that these stock levels exceed normal requirements and that supply lines remain secure. The ministry projects the arrival of 180,000 tons of diesel by the end of July, with an additional 240,000 tons scheduled for delivery throughout August. Officials stated that there is no risk of a fuel oil shortage for at least the next 48 days, despite recent social media speculation that triggered temporary queues at filling stations in areas like Rajshahi.
While fuel oil supplies remain stable, the ministry acknowledged a simultaneous disruption in the national gas supply. A technical fault at one of the country’s floating storage and regasification units (FSRU) has resulted in a daily reduction of approximately 450 million cubic feet of gas, impacting industrial zones, power plants, and residential users. The ministry expects this situation to normalize within two to three days as technical teams prioritize repairs on the affected infrastructure.
The ministry noted that the current gas deficit highlights a systemic vulnerability caused by long-term reliance on imported Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). With total demand currently at 3,800 million cubic feet and domestic supply hovering between 2,700 and 2,800 million cubic feet, the gap underscores the need for increased domestic exploration.
To address this dependency, the government has launched a strategic plan to drill 100 new gas wells. As part of this initiative, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) recently approved a 729-crore taka project to drill three new wells in Noakhali’s Begumganj and Sunamganj. Ministry officials maintain that while immediate maintenance is focused on the FSRU, long-term energy security remains a top priority to mitigate the impact of future infrastructure disruptions.
